POLL: More Than 70% Of Iraq And Afghanistan Veterans Comfortable Serving Alongside Openly Gay Troops

[jenmito]

As the Pentagon prepares to survey soldiers about President Obama’s decision to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, a new poll of military personnel who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq wars has finds that sexual orientation is “not a burning issue that overwhelms veterans’ lives.”

The new poll, commissioned by The Vet Voice Foundation and conducted jointly by Republican and Democratic pollsters, finds that most veterans are “comfortable around gay and lesbian people, believe that being gay or lesbian has no bearing on a service member’s ability to perform their duties, and would find it acceptable if gay and lesbian people were allowed to serve openly in the military.” Fifty-eight percent of veterans said they served alongside gays or lesbians, and only 22 percent thought they had not:

– 60% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans believe that being gay or lesbian “has no bearing on a service member’s ability to perform their duties.” Only 29% disagree.

– 73% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans say it is “personally acceptable to them if gay and lesbian people were allowed to serve openly in the military.” Only a quarter (25%) would find it unacceptable.

– 73% Iraq and Afghanistan veterans say “they are personally comfortable in the presence of gays and lesbians.” Only a quarter (23%) is uncomfortable, and hardly anyone is very uncomfortable (only 7%).

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/03/16/vet-voice-poll-dadt/ :thumbsup:

[Ikonoklast]

1. I would imagine that this place has more than a few gay servicemembers.

Buried next to their comrades that may have not even known that they were gay.

In death, we are finally all equal.

Let us not wait that long.

[jenmito]

2. That's for sure...

and shame on those who served, like John McCain, who are trying to stop the repeal of DADT.

[Zenlitened]

3. K&R. The notion that this issue "needs more study" is just absurd.

In fact, it's an insult to men and women in uniform, to suggest that they'd suddenly become poorer, less reliable soldiers/sailors/marines/airmen/etc. when G&L folks begin to serve openly.

[rhett o rick]

6. It's an insult to anyone with half a brain. nm

[bigwillq]

4. K and R (nt)

[Ex Lurker]

5. as I mentioned on another thread

the overwhelming majority of servicemembers are 18-25 years old. And most 18-25 year olds, simply don't care about someone's sexual preference. It's a non issue to them. This issue will solve itself over time. which sucks for people having to deal with it now, but at least you know what the demographic trend is, if that's any satisfaction.

[jenmito]

7. Exactly...

the younger troops don't care, not to mention the acceptance by people like Gen. Mullen, Gen. Petraeus, and Robert Gates. Hopefully, it won't be solved "over time," but presently.